Disc Disease Surgery

Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment Options

Ben Parr — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:50:20 -0700

For most people, degenerative disc disease can be successfully treated with conservative (meaning non-surgical) care consisting of medication to control inflammation and pain (either oral or injection), and physical therapy and exercise. Surgery is only considered when patients have not achieved relief over six months of conservative care and/or are significantly constrained in performing everyday activities.

Degenerative Disc Disease Interactive Video

spine-health — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:16:45 -0800

Additional Degenerative Disc Disease Info:

Lumbar DDD

Cervical DDD

Multilevel Spinal Fusion for Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:21:07 -0800

Multilevel fusion as a primary treatment for low back pain from degenerated discs is a controversial topic in spine medicine. In certain instances, a two level spinal fusion may be an effective treatment for debilitating back pain from two degenerated lumbar discs. However, lumbar fusion of three or more levels of the low back as a primary treatment for back pain is rarely recommended, and many surgeons recommend against it in all cases of multilevel degenerative disc disease.

Deciding on Surgery for Degenerative Disc Disease

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:12 -0800

Everyone’s discs degenerate as we get older. Disc degeneration can also be seen as early as the late teens as a result of trauma, surgery, or just bad genetics. Most people with degenerative disc disease can manage their ongoing pain, as well as more painful flare episodes, with conservative (non-surgical) care.

Degenerative Disc Disease: Spine Surgeon Viewpoint

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:23:07 -0800

Treatment of patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease is largely dependent on the length of time the patient has had symptoms and the amount of pain and disability. For the first three to six months, conservative treatment is usually recommended. For patients with severe pain, epidural injections can be used to try to decrease the inflammation in the area around the damaged disc.